Theodoee shaets



I (No Model.)

T. SHARTS.

ILLUMINATING TILE.

uvvs/vrom Patented Feb. 28

WITNESSES.-

Urvrrh STATE PATENT tries.

THEODORE SHARTS, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

iLLUMlNATiNG TlLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,559, dated February28, 1888.

Application filed August 5, 1887. Serial No. 246,171.

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE SHARTs, a

citizen of the'United States, residing in the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inIlluminating-Tiles for Sidewalks, Areas, Roofs, Stoops, 850., of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to the cross-bars or bearing-beams, upon which restthe tiles or gratings at their junctions with each other,the objectbeing to utilize the blank space of the tiles or gratings which usuallyoverlies the top surface of the bearing-beam, upon which they rest attheir junction with each other, which as at present constructed preventsthe transmission of any light into the apartments underneath, whereversuch blank spaces occur.

In the drawings that serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a topview of two sections of illuminating tiles or gratings, resting at theirjunction upon my improved bearingbeam or supporting-bar. Fig. 2 is atopview of my improved bearing-beam. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal verticalsection of tiles and bearing-beam taken on the line a: m of Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a longitudinal vertical section of tiles, and a modification ofbearing-beam taken on the line 00 a: of Fig. 1.

Similarlettersindicate corresponding parts.

TheletterA designates the illuminating tiles or gratings; B, thelight-openings through the tiles; 0, my improved bearing-beam; O, thetop surface of the bearing-beam; G, the vertical corrugations of themodification; 0, the top surface of the modification; 0, the obliquecorrugations; cl, the bottom of the oblique corrugated bearing-beam; d,the bottom of the vertical corrugated modification; a, the line ofjunction of the tiles.

Heretofore illuminating tiles or gratings have been constructed with theedges or sides perfectly straight, the surface of the tile near the edgeforming a blank space where it rests on the bearing-beam underneath. Thetop of bearing beam, usually two or three inches wide, forms a solidbearing for the tiles above at their junction with each other. Anylightopenings along this blank space would be inefficient as to thetransmission of light into the apartments below, owing to theobstruction of the bearing-beam.

(No model.)

the insertion of glass lenses along the jointure of the tiles, so thatthe light can penetrate into the apartments below, 1 construct abearingbeam of a corrugated form, the corrugations O passing between thelight-openings B of the tiles, forming a solid bearing for the same, not

only at their immediate junction a, but also alternately around thehalf'openings. Aboaring-beam or supportingbar constructed in this manneroffers but little or no obstruction to the passage of light through thetiles into the apartments beneath.

My bearing-beam can be made with the corrugations running eithervertically or obliquely from the top surface downward. \Vhen madealternately oblique, the light will take an oblique course, but whenmade vertical the light will penetrate directly downward.

I do not confine myself to any particular shape of corrugations, asthese should be made to conform to the light-openings in the tiles,which may be round, square, polygonal, or any desired shape.

When the bearing-beams are made with oblique corrugations, they shouldbe constructed from cast-iron; but when made with vertical corrugationseither cast or wrought iron can be used.

The tiles and bearing-beams maybe bolted or fastened together in anysuitable manner that may suggest itself to the manufacturer.

It will be readily understood that by utilizing the blank space at thejunction of the tiles, by the formation of light-openings in the tiles,and the insertion of glass lenses, it will add greatly to the volume oflight passing to the apartments below. This desideratum is effectuallyaccomplished by the use of my improved bearing-beam.

Gases frequently occur where it is requisite to use extra bearing-beamsat intermediate points under the tiles. My improved bearing-beam,offering little or no obstruction to the light, can be placed whereverit is found necessary.

My improved bearing-beam or cross-bar is 5 applicable for any kind ofilluminating-tiles, roof-lights, vault-lights, floor-lights, &c., andfor either concrete or knob tiles.

I do not claim, broadly, the construction of tiles or gratings havinghalf lightopenings IO along their edges,which form whole light-openingswhen in junction with each other.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. The combination of illuminating tiles :5 having half light-openingsalong their sides or edges, With a cross-bar or bearing-beam made in acorrugated form, so as to pass beneath the uniting edges, and partlyaround the full 1ightopenings thus formed, substantially as described,and for the purpose set forth. 2o

2. A cross-bar or bearing-beam for illuminating-tiles, made in acorrugated form, the corrugations being oblique from the top down- Ward,substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

THEODORE SHARTS.

Witnesses:

R0. L.- CLUTTER, GIOVANNI TRAPONI.

